Frequently Asked Questions

Naturopathic care

WHEN WILL I START FEELING BETTER?

This depends on you. Most people notice results after 4 weeks. Others experience improvements after a few days and some after a few months. Feeling better is not the same thing as healing though. In the beginning, we focus on getting you feeling better by managing your symptoms with natural therapies. Once you have energy, stamina, and motivation, we focus on correcting the underlying issues. This is where the real work and the real healing happens. And this work takes time no matter what.

CAN YOU GUARANTEE RESULTS?

I cannot guarantee any results because you are responsible for your health. I can only guarantee that I will work with you to the best of my ability, providing solid recommendations, communicating honestly, and educating you fully. But it is up to you to actually do the work and get the results.

So the real question is not can I guarantee results but can you? Are you committed to changing your health and your life for the better? Are you willing to learn? Are you willing to work? And most importantly, are you willing to communicate honestly and fully. Communication is the foundation for success. If I understand your expectations, worries, fears, disappointments, doubts, hopes, dreams, and goals, I will know which treatment options will be successful for you or which won't. If you can do all that, then without a doubt, we can make an incredible difference in your health together.

What do I need to do before the initial evaluation?

You will have a few tasks to complete before your appointment. They include setting up your patient portal, filling out the intake form, and reviewing and signing some policy notices. The full instructions are detailed in the appointment confirmation email.

What should I expect to happen after the initial evaluation?

After the initial evaluation, your journey towards better health has just begun. Treating the root cause of disease, rather than just treating symptoms, takes time and commitment. You will need continued care and support, which is why I offer memberships after the initial evaluation. A membership gives you access to reliable care at discounted prices. See Membership for more details.

Membership

Why do you offer memberships?

A membership service solves many problems present in most health care models. First and foremost, a membership is designed to keep you engaged in your care. This is especially important in person-centered, root cause-oriented, natural medicine. Because this approach requires time and commitment. We need time to explore all the facets of your health; we need time to identify the root cause of your health concerns; we need time to naturally facilitate healing; and we need to both be committed to transforming your health. A membership service provides the time you need and incentivizes you to actually show up. It both keeps you engaged and holds you accountable. And when you are engaged with health care and accountable for your health, you get better results faster.

Do I have to commit for a certain time period?

No. You can cancel your membership at anytime.

Can i just pay per visit?

Absolutely. After your initial evaluation, we will decide the best course of your care. If your case is relatively simple, you may only require few and infrequent appointments. If that is the case, you will just pay per visit. But remember, membership is not about locking you into payments (you can cancel at any time) or about you spending more money (the cost is typically the same as paying per visit). Membership is about incentivizing you to show up in your health care. When you are paying a low monthly fee, you are more likely to show up to your visits, to follow through on treatment recommendations, and to reach out and ask questions. All those things will get you feeling better faster. When you are just paying as you go, you are less likely to schedule a follow up visit, less likely to follow through on treatment recommendations, less likely to communicate with your doctor, and therefore, less likely to improve your health.

are there different family rates?

Yes. The membership systems is designed to fit many different family structures. If you are a single parent with 2 children, the base membership is $97.50 per month. If you are two parents with one child, you will qualify for the Couple Membership plus the Child Membership for a total of $120 per month. Additional adults can also be added to the Family Membership for $40 per month.

what is the age limit for the child membership?

If you have a child age 2-17, your child will qualify for the Child Membership. If you have a child younger than 2, please inquire about care for your infant.

what if I cancel but later decide I want to enroll again?

You may be eligible for re-enrollment as space allows and depending on the circumstances of your cancellation. Depending on your situation, we may decide to just have you pay per visit.

what if I don't use my benefits that month?

You will still pay for your membership even if you don't use your benefits that month. If, however, you find yourself in a position where you're consistently not using your monthly benefits or you won't be able to use your benefits for an extended amount of time but want access to care at a later date, please speak with me and we will figure out a solution. The idea of membership is not to make money off of you. So if you're not using your benefits, I don't actually want you paying. Typically, once you reach a certain point in your care, together, we decide to cancel your membership and just have you pay per visit. This is when you reach the point where you don't need much support and all we need to do is check in once a year.

How do I pay for my visits?

For the Initial Evaluation, your fee will be due at the end of the appointment. I accept all credit and debit card. I do not accept checks. For online Initial Evaluations, you will receive an invoice via email and you will have 24 hours to pay. Your monthly membership fee will be automatically charged to your credit card, debit card, or bank account each month at the end of the billing cycle. At this time, Care Credit does not contract with NDs.

What is not included in the prices?

Labs and supplements are not included in the pricing. Your insurance may cover labs ordered by me but you will need to check with your insurance company. Ask if they cover labs ordered by out-of-network providers. I contract with Quest Diagnostics for routine blood work. I also contract with Cleveland HeartLab, Spectracell, Great Plains Laboratory, ZRT, DiagnosTech, and others for specialty testing. For members, I offer a 10% discount on physician-grade supplements through Fullscript, but you are not obligated to buy your supplements through me. If you have an HSA/FSA, you may be able to use that money to cover the cost of supplements. Contact your insurance company for more information.

Do you accept insurance?

The short answer is no. California insurance companies currently do not allow contracts with naturopathic doctors.. However, this does not mean that your insurance will not pay for part of the visit. This is dependent entirely on your insurance provider and their policy regarding out-of-network providers. Many PPO insurance plans will reimburse part of the visit. Most HMO insurance plans do not reimburse for visits, but may cover the cost of labs. Please contact your insurance provider to find out more information.

Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card

Ask if you have out-of-network coverage

Find out if you have a deductible for out-of-network coverage and what percentage they will cover for out-of-network costs

Find out if they will cover labs ordered by out-of-network providers, if you have to meet a deductible, and what percentage they will cover

For labs, ask if they have a preferred out-of-network lab

Ask how you can submit your claim, making sure to get the correct forms and mailing address (they may tell you to have the doctor submit the claim, but you need to, so be sure to get all the info you need)

If they ask what a naturopathic doctor is, tell them a naturopathic doctor is a licensed primary care provider in the state of California

What about my HSA or FSA?

Most, but not all, Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Spending Accounts can be used to not only pay for visits with Naturopathic Doctors, but also for prescribed supplements. You may have a debit card you can use at the time of service or you may need to submit receipts for reimbursement. Talk to your insurance provider for more information on how to use your HSA or FSA.

Call the customer service number on the back of your card

Make sure that a licensed naturopathic doctor (if they don't know what an ND is, then say an out-of-network licensed primary care doctor) is an approved expense

Find out if supplements prescribed by a doctor are an approved expense

Find out if labs ordered by an out-of-network doctor are an approved expense

Find out the best way to pay for these expenses (with HSA card or check or with personal money and then submit for reimbursement)

Find out if you will need to send your insurance company any paperwork (superbills, receipts, etc.)

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This website is made for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other health care professional. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a doctor before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem.